KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Tue, Jun 2: The Art Garage Summer Camp
Tue, Jun 9: Seedlings:
Inside the Orchestra
Thu, Jun 11: 50th Annual Parker Days
Sat, Jun 13: Colorado Renaissance Festival: Celebrating 49
Years
Sun, Jun 14: Passport to Culture Top Hogs
Thu, Jun 18: Thornton 70th Anniversary History Exhibit
Sat, Jun 20: Unicorn 5K (North) | 3W Races
Sun, Jun 21: Father's Day Classic | 3W Races
Tue, Jun 23: Summer Concert Series | Denver Botanic Gardens - York Street
Fri, Jun 26: Annie Jr. - NYT Summer Musical
Fri, Jun 26: 2026 Frederick in Flight - Hot Air Balloon Festival |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One summer afternoon during a family camping trip in New Jersey when I was about 6 or 7 years old, a horse fly suddenly appeared next to my ear and started following me everywhere I went. I’m sure that, from its own perspective, it was just going about its business doing ordinary horse fly things, but to me it felt enormous, ominous, and purposeful. I can't remember if it
actually bit me, but I can still summon the hot panic of not being able to get away from its threatening buzz. To my small self, that fly wasn't a little distraction, it was a crisis with wings. The memory surfaced recently when my daughter Ella sent me the above photo, taken in Quintana Beach County Park, near Houston. The point was clear: Proceed, and you will be under attack, and not by any adorable Northeastern bugs you might be used to. No, these bugs were born in Texas. Beware. Sometimes that is exactly
how challenges feel, especially to kids: Problems loom much larger to them than they do to adults with decades of experience. A broken toy, a skinned knee, a mistake in front of the class, or a slight misunderstanding with a friend may be a fly in the ointment to us, but a Texas-sized monster to a child. The trick is to validate the feeling without validating helplessness. We stand beside them and say, Yes, I know, this feels huge. The bugs, even if they're not as large as they
think, are real. They watch us shoo them away and learn gradually to do it for themselves. If I had seen the sign above, my first instinct would have been to flee back to the safety of the car. And Ella said it was not exaggerating, at least not by much: The moment she stepped onto the property, giant mosquitoes descended, and they were hungry; even leggings soaked with OFF Deep Woods did not deter them. She assures me that the photo she got of the Bay-breasted Warbler was
worth all the bites on the backs of her knees. She knew better than to show me the damage. Clearly, the script has flipped.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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Audacious Immersive's summer camps offer kids the opportunity to create their own fantastical worlds. For kids aged 6-12, our Fairytale Creation Camp (June 15-19 or June 22-26) empowers kids to build a fairy tale theater experience from the ground up, from storytelling to costuming to game design and beyond. Their imagination is the limit! For kids ages 8-14, our Junior Monster Hunter Camp (July 13-17) trains new recruits as mythical creature conservationists. They'll take lessons set inside an immersive world, working together to create spells, magical objects, and learn supernatural defense strategies, all while learning about international folklore. $325/week (Sibling discounts available)
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The first five years shape everything. During this time, a child’s brain forms more than a million new neural connections every second, building the foundation for learning, behavior, and emotional development. At Primrose School of Ken Caryl, we create a nurturing environment where infants through Pre-K students grow through purposeful play, music, literature, and our beloved Primrose Friends puppets. Every moment is designed to spark curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Now enrolling Infants – Pre-K for the 2026/27 school year. Register by June 15 to receive waived registration ($200 savings). Schedule your tour or discovery day today!
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Not all swim lessons are the same. At SwimLabs Littleton, we combine technology-driven instruction, certified coaches, and a warm 90° indoor pool to help kids learn faster and build real confidence in the water. Whether your child needs stroke correction, water safety skills, or struggled to progress elsewhere, our small-group and private lessons deliver results. Try your first lesson FREE—no risk, just results. "My children have had a great experience with multiple different instructors. Each one is knowledgeable, supportive, and fun. I would highly recommend lessons here." - Kristin C. Call or email today to reserve your spot before summer schedules fill!
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NATIONAL TRAILS DAYJune 13 from 8 a.m. to noon, join a National Trails Day volunteer project at William F. Hayden Park. Projects are outdoors, involve hiking and work on trail maintenance. Tools and lunch are provided. CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS Join our park naturalists and special guests on Saturday evenings, June 20 - July 25, outside the Bear Creek Lake Park Visitor Center to learn about local animals, ecosystems and conservation. BIG DAY OF BUGSExplore bug-themed activities, crafts, native seeds and more on June 27 at the Bear Creek Greenbelt from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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If you're into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay, come share our playground. You'll feel out of this world – and right at home. Find your fandom family at FAN EXPO Denver. All 110,000 of them.
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Aurora Public Library’s Summer of Imagination, the reading and activities program designed to address learning gaps during the summer, returns this year with the theme “Unearth a Story.” Starting Tuesday, May 26, participants in the summer reading program can register to receive a free book, while supplies last. Participation in all Summer of Imagination activities is free.
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Mark your calendars for the best night of the week: Friday Family Night! Every Friday. Bring the whole crew and join us for fun, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime! Order a hot pizza before 6pm and enjoy discounts on adult beverages while you're here!
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Summer rides start Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and run Monday - Friday mornings through September 4*. Children ages 10 and under (along with accompanying adults) will chug along Pearl Street in this one-of-a-kind experience. The Summer Tebo Train boards in front of Wells Fargo at the corner of 13th and Pearl. The rides start at 9:30 am each day. The last train leaves the station at 11 am SHARP.
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- DC Super Hero Sightings - Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center - North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora, CO, USA, Friday, May 29, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, Times vary
- Unearth a Story: Summer of Imagination 2026 - Aurora Public Library (Central) - 14949 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012, United States, Friday, May 29, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Project Prom: Donation Drive - Aurora Public Library (Central) - 14949 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012, United States, Friday, May 29, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott!
- Denver - Shoott - Broadway, Denver, CO, USA, Friday, May 29, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, See link for times
- "Non-Corporate" Pride Market | Denver's Community Pop-up Market - 3899 Jackson Street Building 3, Denver, CO, 80218, Saturday, May 30, 2026 to
Sunday, May 31, 2026, Please see website
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Boulder - Shoott - Broadway, Boulder, CO, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, See link for times
- Saturday Morning Pancakes | Fort Lupton Public & School Library - 370 South Rollie Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
- Mythical Storytime with Fantasy Friends - The Audacious Space - 1373 N Grant St. Denver, CO 80203, Sunday, May 31, 2026, 12:30pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Denver area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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KidsOutAndAbout's Denver-area 2026 summer camp guide for kids! Pick the dates you want to explore on our calendar and see what summer camps are available. Hundreds of local summer camps: day camps, overnight camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts &
crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more!
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Denver? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a
spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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